President & CEO

Richard has served as President & CEO of the American Peanut Council since February 2021. He is responsible for APC’s overall strategy and execution, as well as day-to-day management of operations. Richard also serves as the executive officer of the American Peanut Research and Education Society, which is managed by APC, and as ex officio of The Peanut Research Foundation.

Prior to APC, Richard served in various roles during 11 years with the Produce Marketing Association, including legislative and regulatory affairs team lead, vice president of Global Membership and Engagement and vice president of Global Business Development.

Richard also served as director of Agricultural Affairs for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, managing a portfolio that included Russia and Eastern Europe, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Israel. He led U.S. negotiations on agricultural market access and sanitary and phytosanitary issues with more than 10 countries acceding to the World Trade Organization. He also served as the USTR delegate to two significant international trade agencies: the WTO Committee on Agriculture and Codex Alimentarius, the international food safety organization.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Virginia Tech and has maintained the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives since 2000.